Fish On with Captain Bob

07/26/2023

Hey all, sorry we’ve been not posting reports in a while. We were away on a family trip and didn’t want to leak anything during Salmon-O-Rama, but we are back! Here is the report for this past week. Fishing is consistent with an number of King Salmon every trip along with Coho, Steelhead, and Lake Trout. Average catches between 10-14 fish per charter. King Salmon fishing is better than we’ve seen in years and should only continue to increase in numbers as we enter August. We have been fishing in front of the harbor in 80-100’ foot for the past couple weeks with our presentations at 50’ or below in the water column. Our best of the best and most consistent presentations are at the link below:

https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=20

07/07/2023

I'm wishing these snook were in season. We caught a bunch yesterday along with several other species of groupers, trigger fish, lady fish, and a sand shark. Out with Capt. Casey Russel.

07/07/2023

July 7th Fishing Report Waukegan and Winthrop Harbors

Hey ya’ all, school is out and its time to take the kids fishing. Don’t forget that girls (women fish too). Our heaviest hauls (one is pictured here) of the season so far came on the 3rd of July with both kids and women aboard. Yesterday was a blow day, but the report for the week is still strong. There’s 3-5 big 4 y.o. kings getting caught in every trip with catches ranging between 10 - 28 fish per trip. There is a caveat to catching the kings… we’re shoving off at 4 a.m. with our clients to get that morning king bite. The bite shuts down around 7a.m. each day. We are fishing Waukegan Harbor and North just a bit, while the recreational boats we network with are fishing from Northpoint south toward the hotel. They are taking their big kings in the early morning 4a -7a and evening between 7p - 10:30pm. Here’s the best of the best for the week at the link below:

https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=19

06/30/2023

6/30/2023 Waukegan and Northpoint Fishing Report

It’s been a great week of fishing ya’ all. The fish of the week is this 21lb Brown Trout along numerous kings and a good steelhead bite earlier this week toward the state line. The fish have been moving a bit each day with the winds, but not far. Today we fished 70’-90’ of water. Earlier in the week 90’-130’ was a bit better. Kings… Our riggers have been the best. Steelhead are coming on 4 - 6 color lead cores, the lake trout have dropped to the lower part of the water column and moved deeper toward 100’-130’. Coho are coming all over the water column and biting about whatever gets in from of them. Click the link below the whole report.

https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=18

06/16/2023

Here’s the link to the latest fishing report from Waukegan Harbor and our blog today discusses the Apps commonly used by charter captains to plan trips, stay safe, and have some fun logging catches. Enjoy and tight lines!

https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=16

06/09/2023

Hey all, the kids are out of school and it's time to take them fishing. Here's the link to todays fishing report from Waukegan Harbor and some great tips and tricks to put more fish in the boat while fishing the spring/summer transition.

https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=15

06/01/2023

Here is the link to this weeks fishing report from Waukegan Harbor and the latest blog discussing Dipsy Divers. Good luck anglers!
https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=14

05/25/2023

Here's the link to the latest report from Waukegan Harbor salmon fishing and my latest Blog on lure selection related to available light in the water column. Enjoy!

https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=13

05/18/2023

Here's the link to our weekly fishing report from Waukegan Harbor along with some tips related to trolling speed and direction as related to trolling for salmon on the western shores of Lake Michigan. Drop a comment below if you like the content or would like me to discuss other tips/topics in the future. Tight lines - and !

https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=12

05/11/2023

Check out the link below for the latest report from Waukegan, Illinois and to learn about the history of the Lake Michigan Salmon fishery. Enjoy!

Things are changing! It's Thursday and as promised here is the latest fishing report from Waukegan Harbor. Also, this blog discusses the creation of the Lake Michigan Salmon Fishery. Which how it came to be is the #1 most frequently asked question by charter guests.

https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=11

05/09/2023

Hey all, There's a lot of King Salmon around the Waukegan Harbor area in the spring. However, they are not getting targeted because the coho are easy pickings. Take a look at the latest blog to help put some kings in the box.

https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=10

04/27/2023

Here's the latest fishing report from Waukegan Harbor along with some insight to selecting the right rods for salmon trolling. Yes, we know this is a highly debated topic. But here's our take on the subject.

https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=9

04/24/2023

Just sharing...

04/20/2023

Check out our latest blog on salmon fishing and the Waukegan fishing report.

Check out this weeks blog at the link below for the latest fishing report, Dodger/Fly combos, About us, and a great salmon recipe.

https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=7

Drop a comment below and please share this post if you like the content or want a specific topic next week. Thanks - Tight Lines!

04/12/2023

Let me know what you’d like to learn about Winthrop Harbor - Waukegan Salmon Fishing Reports and salmon fishing. Tune into www.spendthriftcharters.com and I’ll use your ideas for future blogs.

Check out our latest blog using the link below. This will become a weekly go-to for the latest fishing information out of Waukegan Harbor and useful tips to help you fill your cooler. We encourage you to drop a comment and let us know what you'd like to learn about for future blog content. Fish On!
https://www.spendthriftcharters.com/index.php?route=stories/show&story_id=5

04/12/2023

08/14/2022

Saying goodbye to with a guest spot aboard Bad Medicine for the Open tournament yesterday. We struck a paycheck with the big and 2nd place in the 3-3-3 competition. It was a bit nautical out.

Now back to packing for the move to Florida in a few weeks. I’ll be pretty close to the of lakes. Suppose I’ll have to eat my words about since I’ll be so close to such a premier bass fishery.

07/16/2022

Hey All, many of you may remember Scott from the days of Battalion 1 Charters. He was the hardest working first mate in the business and provided comedy, smiles and great fishing to many.

Although Scott and the boys are experiencing difficult times with the loss of his significant other and mother to the boys, he hopes that those who remember the good times can make it out for one more during a celebration of life.

Please review the details below, if you can make it, we’ll see you there. If you can assist financially, it will be greatly appreciated. I look forward to seeing some familiar faces next Saturday.

Maureen O’Malley recently passed on July 1st due to complications with liver failure.… Arenda Sicca needs your support for Maureen O’Malley’s Funeral Expenses

05/19/2022

fishing out of Waukegan and Northpoint remains exceptional. 6 person limits coming within 2-3 hours. Here’s some pics from yesterday and today. Time well spent with family and friends.

The fish have have relocated a bit moving back inside of 50’ FOW. 2” Rapture Trolling Flies in Green Mirage, Green Lime, and the Battalion 1 are hot, hot, hot! The Michigan Stinger Battalion 1 spoon is taking quite a few fish on a 3 color leadcore as well.

I’ve received quite a few requests to fish lately. However, I’ve officially retired from working the boats and fishing just for fun now when asked to come along. If you are looking for a recommendation it goes to www.spendthriftcharters.com out of Waukegan Harbor.

Keep your boats upright and your lines tight, Capt. Bob

05/17/2022

From one of the Great Lakes to the next. on Erie yesterday… Salmon on Michigan today. It was pretty fast this morning. Fish we’re taken from 55’ - 135’. 2” flies and dodgers best with green tones taking everything. Riggers down 9-11’ and dipseys back 30’ took the majority.

05/16/2022

We found a steady bite near Bass, Rattlesnake and Green Islands. Running lures and DH12’s flatlined 65-80’ back or 50’+2oz and 12-23’ to cover the column between 13-22’. High lines were the best and chrome with about any color worked well... Pink preferred. We had to grind every day. For a fishery with an estimated 150,000,000 walleye everyone we as we did talked with worked for them. Fish ranged from 16-27” averaging 20-21”. All in all it was another outstanding trip. I highly recommend condos in if you have a group of 5-6.

05/16/2022

Some of the views from the Lake Erie trip the last few days. Fish pics will be next. As always, it’s great to fish with Cousin John, Cary, , and . Rain, cold, wind, sun, we had it all this weekend and we didn’t let it damper our time on the water. The boots were a life saver. I hate wet feet! The new rubber basket conservation nets worked hard and flawless.

05/12/2022

Trolling the Rattling Hornet…

05/11/2022

Let’s go fishing! Going to see what the local lake produces today. Plan: drift some slip bobbers while casting hornets.

Plano Fishing
Huk Gear

05/05/2022

Happy Cinco de Mayo You All! Check out this awesome deal from . I have some Icon X pocket shirts myself and really like them. Link below. Promo Code: CINCO

05/03/2022

Last year I made the transition from sandals to waterproof boots for fishing. At the time the Rogue Wave boots were not available. I was a fan of my decision, just not the boot I chose.

I’m very pleased that the boot is back. They are light weight, non-slip, true to size fit, and I’m pleased so far. I highly recommend these if you’re active on a boat deck, dock, or fishing in all conditions.

How you all like my fashion coordination with my Aircast? 🤣